Karditsa, Greece

Capital City

With a population of just 38,554, Karditsa is a sleepy Thessalian backwater that offers little for the average expat. The city's isolation is compounded by its hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters - hardly ideal for those seeking a Mediterranean paradise. And while the region has a storied history, modern Karditsa is plagued by persistent bureaucratic headaches that can make daily life a chore.

This is not the Greece of postcards and travel brochures. Karditsa is a place for hardy locals content with a slower pace, not ambitious expats seeking excitement and convenience. Those seeking an authentic Greek experience may find Karditsa intriguing, but most would be better served looking elsewhere.